Daily Journal
TUPELO – For a decade, pottery butterflies have been flitting out of the imagination of a Tupelo potter in support of local cancer patients.
Since 2007, Jennifer Hankins of Midnite Pottery has actually created a pottery butterfly and platter annually to benefit the North Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Patient Assistance Fund.
“I knew it would certainly have a huge response,” Hankins said. “I didn’t expect it to go 10 years.”
The 2016 butterflies feature a neutral glaze with touches of chocolate brown and turquoise. The pottery butterflies, which cost $20, are accented with a unique wire and bead; some have a special pink bead for breast cancer. The platters are $35.
Through the years, the butterflies have raised just shy of $34,000 for the patient assistance fund.
“It’s a huge commitment,” by Hankins, said Beth Bryant, NMMC oncology and radiation service line administrator. “She definitely has actually a heart for supporting patients undergoing cancer treatment.”
When the butterfly collection began, Hankins had already lost her best friend to cancer. In the intervening years, it’s claimed more lives dear to her, including her mother’s in 2012.
“It hits home,” Hankins said. “It is always easy to get inspiration for a brand-new butterfly because I know every sale helps someone who may be struggling financially because of cancer.”
Lifeline
The cancer patient assistance fund helps those in need with the essentials not covered by medical care. The fund, managed by the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi, assists an average of 26 patients a month.
“The majority of the money goes to transportation services,” Bryant said, noting it can be challenging for patients traveling long distances for daily radiation appointments and chemotherapy patients who have to rely on someone else to drive.
The fund, which granted out $150,000 in 2015, also helps with supportive medicines to help fight adverse effects of treatment, nutritional supplements and other emergency assistance.
New each year
Each year, Hankins develops different butterfly designs and works with the cancer staff to pick the final design and color palate for the project.
“We tend to alternate pops of color with a more neutral palette,” Hankins said.
Sonya Burnett of Saltillo began collecting butterfly platters 10 years ago.
“When they started selling the pottery butterflies, I loved them. It’s become a tradition,” Burnett said. “Now they’re all over my house.”
The pieces serve as a conversation starter, both on the work of the Cancer Patient Assistance Fund and the NMMC Spirit of Women events where the butterflies make their debut each January.
To purchase a butterfly or platter, contact Susie Chunn, office manager for NMMC Oncology and Radiology Services, at (662) 377-2474 or (80) 843-3375.
michaela.morris@journalinc.com
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